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3:49 pm today

In pictures: Firestorms devastate Los Angeles

3:49 pm today

Altadena, California resident David Slater,81, looks at the damage from the Eaton Fire in Altadena, California, on January 9, 2025. Wildfires threatened to engulf parts of Hollywood on January 9 as a growing number of blazes raged across Los Angeles, forcing over 100,000 people to flee their homes and claiming at least five lives. (Photo by Zoë Meyers / AFP)

Altadena, California resident David Slater, 81, looks at the damage from the Eaton Fire in Altadena, California, on 9 January 2025. Photo: ZOE MEYERS / AFP

Hundreds of thousands of people have evacuated and thousands of homes have burned in what may be California's costliest fire disaster.

A half-dozen large blazes have been burning through Los Angeles from the Pacific Coast to Pasadena.

Follow RNZ's live updates on the latest on the California fires here.

Here are some of the harrowing images photographers from AFP and Getty have captured:

PACIFIC PALISADES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 09: People watch as a home burns during the Palisades Fire on January 09, 2025 in Pacific Palisades, California. Multiple wildfires fueled by intense Santa Ana Winds are burning across Los Angeles County. At least five people have been killed, and over 25,000 acres have burned. Over 2,000 structures have also burned and almost 180,000 people are under orders to evacuate. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

People watch as a home burns during the Palisades Fire on January 09, 2025 in Pacific Palisades, California. Photo: Mario Tama / Getty Images

Richard Castaneda (L) and Rupert Garcia look at the ruins of Garcia's home destroyed by the Eaton Fire in Altadena, California, on January 9, 2025. Both Garcia and Castañeda lost their homes in the Eaton Fire. Wildfires threatened to engulf parts of Hollywood on January 9 as a growing number of blazes raged across Los Angeles, forcing over 100,000 people to flee their homes and claiming at least five lives. (Photo by Zoë Meyers / AFP)

Richard Castaneda (L) and Rupert Garcia look at the ruins of Garcia's home destroyed by the Eaton Fire in Altadena, California, on 9 January 2025. Photo: ZOE MEYERS / AFP

ALTADENA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 09: A resident inspects the remains of her home that was destroyed by the Eaton Fire on January 09, 2025 in Altadena, California. Multiple wildfires fueled by intense Santa Ana Winds are burning across Los Angeles County. At least five people have been killed, and over 25,000 acres have burned. Over 2,000 structures have also burned and almost 180,000 people are under orders to evacuate. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

A resident inspects the remains of her home that was destroyed by the Eaton Fire on January 09, 2025 in Altadena, California. Photo: Justin Sullivan / Getty Images

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 9: A unidentified woman looks at a house burned by the Palisades Fire on January 9, 2025 in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. Multiple wildfires fueled by intense Santa Ana Winds are burning across Los Angeles County. At least five people have been killed, and over 25,000 acres have burned. Over 2,000 structures have also burned and almost 180,000 people are under orders to evacuate. (Photo by Apu Gomes/Getty Images)

An unidentified woman looks at a house burned by the Palisades Fire on January 9, 2025 in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. Photo: Apu Gomes / Getty Images

In this aerial view taken from a helicopter, burned homes are seen during the Palisades fire in the Malibu area of Los Angeles county, California on 9 January 2025. Photo: JOSH EDELSON / AFP

In this aerial view taken from a helicopter, homes burned from the Palisade fire smolder near the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, California on January 9, 2025. Massive wildfires that engulfed whole neighborhoods and displaced thousands in Los Angeles remained totally uncontained January 9, 2025, authorities said, as US National Guard soldiers readied to hit the streets to help quell disorder. Swaths of the United States' second-largest city lay in ruins, with smoke blanketing the sky and an acrid smell pervading almost every building. (Photo by JOSH EDELSON / AFP)

In this aerial view taken from a helicopter, homes burned from the Palisade fire smoulder near the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. Photo: JOSH EDELSON / AFP

In this aerial view taken from a helicopter, homes burned from the Palisade fire smoulder near the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, California on 9 January 2025. Photo: JOSH EDELSON / AFP

In this aerial view taken from a helicopter, the Kenneth fire (below) approaches homes while the back side of the Palisade fire (above) continues to burn Los Angeles county, California on 9 January 2025. Photo: JOSH EDELSON / AFP

Chris Larson surveys the ruins of his business, the Rancho Bar, destroyed by the Eaton Fire in Altadena, California, on January 9, 2025. The couple also lost their nearby home in the fire. Wildfires threatened to engulf parts of Hollywood on January 9 as a growing number of blazes raged across Los Angeles, forcing over 100,000 people to flee their homes and claiming at least five lives. (Photo by Zoë Meyers / AFP)

Chris Larson surveys the ruins of his business, the Rancho Bar, destroyed by the Eaton Fire in Altadena, California, on 9 January 2025. Photo: ZOE MEYERS / AFP

Aaron Lubeley reacts as he arrives at his burned home during the Eaton fire in the Altadena area of Los Angeles county, California on January 9, 2025. Wildfires threatened to engulf parts of Hollywood on January 9 as a growing number of blazes raged across Los Angeles, forcing over 100,000 people to flee their homes and claiming at least five lives. (Photo by JOSH EDELSON / AFP)

Aaron Lubeley reacts as he arrives at his burned home during the Eaton fire in the Altadena area of Los Angeles county, California on 9 January 2025. Photo: JOSH EDELSON / AFP

Danielle Maki displays an item she found in the remains of her brother's home burned in the Eaton fire in the Altadena area of Los Angeles county, California on 9 January 2025. Photo: JOSH EDELSON / AFP

Firefighters prepare to fight flames from inside Eliot Arts Magnet Middle School auditorium as the school burns during the Eaton fire in the Altadena area of Los Angeles county, California on 8 January 2025. Photo: JOSH EDELSON / AFP

A truck catches fire during the Eaton fire in the Altadena area of Los Angeles county, California on January 8, 2025. - At least five people are now known to have died in wildfires raging around Los Angeles, with more deaths feared, law enforcement said January 8, as terrifying blazes leveled whole streets, torching cars and houses in minutes.
More than 1,000 buildings have burned in multiple wildfires that have erupted around America's second biggest city, forcing tens of thousands of people from their homes. (Photo by JOSH EDELSON / AFP)

A truck catches fire during the Eaton fire in the Altadena area of Los Angeles county, California on 8 January 2025. Photo: JOSH EDELSON / AFP

An aerial image shows smoke from wildfires including the Eaton Fire and Palisades Fire in Los Angeles, California, on January 8, 2025. - At least five people have been killed in wildfires rampaging around Los Angeles, officials said on January 8, with firefighters overwhelmed by the speed and ferocity of multiple blazes. (Photo by Patrick T. Fallon / AFP)

An aerial image shows smoke from wildfires including the Eaton Fire and Palisades Fire in Los Angeles, California, on 8 January 2025. Photo: PATRICK T. FALLON / AFP

A Bank of America is fully engulfed in flames along Lake Ave. during the Eaton fire in the Altadena area of Los Angeles county, California on January 8, 2025. - At least five people are now known to have died in wildfires raging around Los Angeles, with more deaths feared, law enforcement said January 8, as terrifying blazes leveled whole streets, torching cars and houses in minutes.
More than 1,000 buildings have burned in multiple wildfires that have erupted around America's second biggest city, forcing tens of thousands of people from their homes. (Photo by JOSH EDELSON / AFP)

A Bank of America is fully engulfed in flames along Lake Ave. during the Eaton fire in the Altadena area of Los Angeles county, California on 8 January 2025. Photo: JOSH EDELSON / AFP

A firefighting helicopter flies above the hollywood sign as the sky is engulfed in dark smoke from the many fires burning around the city, as seen from Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area in Los Angeles, on 8 January 2025. Photo: PATRICK T. FALLON / AFP

Margaret Larkin views her burned home during the Eaton fire in the Altadena area of Los Angeles county, California on January 8, 2025. - At least five people are now known to have died in wildfires raging around Los Angeles, with more deaths feared, law enforcement said January 8, as terrifying blazes leveled whole streets, torching cars and houses in minutes.
More than 1,000 buildings have burned in multiple wildfires that have erupted around America's second biggest city, forcing tens of thousands of people from their homes. (Photo by JOSH EDELSON / AFP)

Margaret Larkin views her burned home during the Eaton fire in the Altadena area of Los Angeles county, California on 8 January 2025. Photo: JOSH EDELSON / AFP

A beach house is engulfed in flames as the Palisades Fire burns along Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu, California, on January 8, 2025. - At least five people have been killed in wildfires rampaging around Los Angeles, officials said on January 8, with firefighters overwhelmed by the speed and ferocity of multiple blazes -- including in Hollywood. (Photo by AGUSTIN PAULLIER / AFP)

A beach house is engulfed in flames as the Palisades Fire burns along Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu, California, on 8 January 2025. Photo: AGUSTIN PAULLIER / AFP

Firefighters arrive at the scene as Eliot Arts Magnet Middle School burns during the Eaton fire in the Altadena area of Los Angeles county, California, on 8 January 2025. Photo: JOSH EDELSON / AFP

Firefighters work the scene as an apartment building burns during the Eaton fire in the Altadena area of Los Angeles county, California on January 8, 2025. - At least five people are now known to have died in wildfires raging around Los Angeles, with more deaths feared, law enforcement said January 8, as terrifying blazes leveled whole streets, torching cars and houses in minutes.
More than 1,000 buildings have burned in multiple wildfires that have erupted around America's second biggest city, forcing tens of thousands of people from their homes. (Photo by JOSH EDELSON / AFP)

Firefighters work the scene as an apartment building burns during the Eaton fire in the Altadena area of Los Angeles county, California on 8 January 2025. Photo: JOSH EDELSON / AFP

A home is engulfed in flames during the Eaton fire in the Altadena area of Los Angeles County, California on January 8, 2025. (Photo by JOSH EDELSON / AFP)

A home is engulfed in flames during the Eaton fire in the Altadena area of Los Angeles County, California. Photo: JOSH EDELSON / AFP

A firefighter douses flames as a liquor store burns during the Eaton fire in the Altadena area of Los Angeles County, California on January 8, 2025. - At least five people are now known to have died in wildfires raging around Los Angeles, with more deaths feared, law enforcement said January 8, as terrifying blazes leveled whole streets, torching cars and houses in minutes.
More than 1,000 buildings have burned in multiple wildfires that have erupted around America's second biggest city, forcing tens of thousands of people from their homes. (Photo by JOSH EDELSON / AFP)

A firefighter douses flames as a liquor store burns during the Eaton fire in the Altadena area of Los Angeles County, California. Photo: JOSH EDELSON / AFP

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 8: California Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass tour the downtown business district of Pacific Palisades as the Palisades Fire continues to burn on January 8, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. Fueled by intense Santa Ana Winds, the Palisades Fire has grown to over 2,900 acres and 30,000 people have been ordered to evacuate while a second major fire continues to burn near Eaton Canyon in Altadena. Eric Thayer/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by Eric Thayer / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)

California Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass tour the downtown business district of Pacific Palisades as the Palisades Fire continues to burn on 8 January 2025 in Los Angeles, California. Photo: ERIC THAYER / AFP

Smokes and flames overwhelms a commercial area during the Eaton fire in the Altadena area of Los Angeles County, California on January 8, 2025. - At least five people are now known to have died in wildfires raging around Los Angeles, with more deaths feared, law enforcement said January 8, as terrifying blazes leveled whole streets, torching cars and houses in minutes.
More than 1,000 buildings have burned in multiple wildfires that have erupted around America's second biggest city, forcing tens of thousands of people from their homes. (Photo by JOSH EDELSON / AFP)

Photo: JOSH EDELSON / AFP

A brush fire burns near homes in Pacific Palisafes, California on January 7, 2025. - A fast-moving brushfire in a Los Angeles suburb burned buildings and sparked evacuations Tuesday as "life threatening" winds whipped the region. More than 200 acres (80 hectares) was burning in Pacific Palisades, a upscale spot with multi-million dollar homes in the Santa Monica Mountains, shuttering a key highway and blanketing the area with thick smoke. (Photo by David Swanson / AFP)

A fast-moving brushfire in a Los Angeles suburb is burning buildings and sparking evacuations. Photo: AFP / DAVID SWANSON

A resident attempts to protect his property from the flames closing in on homes threatened by the wind-driven Palisades Fire in Pacific Palisades, California, January 7, 2025. - A fast-moving brushfire in a Los Angeles suburb burned buildings and sparked evacuations Tuesday as "life threatening" winds whipped the region. More than 200 acres (80 hectares) was burning in Pacific Palisades, a upscale spot with multi-million dollar homes in the Santa Monica Mountains, shuttering a key highway and blanketing the area with thick smoke. (Photo by David Swanson / AFP)

A resident attempts to protect his property from the flames closing in on his home. Photo: AFP / DAVID SWANSON

HOLLYWOOD, CA - JANUARY 08: Flames are seen on the hillsides above Hollywood Blvd. during the Sunset Fire on January 08, 2025 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by AaronP/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images)

Flames are seen on the hillsides above Hollywood Blvd. during the Sunset Fire on 8 January 2025 in Hollywood, California. Photo: AaronP/Bauer-Griffin / Getty Images

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 8: Flames from the Palisades Fire burn a home on January 8, 2025 in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. Multiple wildfires fueled by intense Santa Ana Winds are burning across Los Angeles County. Five people have been killed, over 25,000 acres have burned, and 30,000 people have been evacuated. (Photo by Eric Thayer/Getty Images)

Flames from the Palisades Fire burn a home on January 8, 2025 in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. Photo: Eric Thayer / Getty